Big Muddy 3 Rogaine and
U.S. Rogaining Championship
May 1324, 2006

If 10ks and marathons are getting a bit tame for you, how about trying the sport of rogaining? Imported from Australia (where it picked up its name, which has nothing to do with hair tonic), rogaining is the long-distance form of orienteering (mapandcompass racing). Teams of two to five people scatter out over a vast, largely undeveloped territory, trying to find as many “control points” as possible within the time limit: 8, 12, or 24 hours. Their only guide is their knowledge of how to use map and compass. Whoever earns the most points (the more distant and difficulttofind controls are worth more points) is the winner.

The Columbia River Orienteering Club (CROC) is hosting the U.S. Orienteering Championship May 13–14 at the Washington Family Ranch near Antelope, OR. It will be the third rogaine CROC has hosted on this 25,000acre, privately owned ranch. Longtime Oregonians will remember the ranch by its old name, the Big Muddy, and as the site of the notorious Rajneeshpuram back in the early 1980s. Now it’s used primarily for a Christian youth camp.

As at all orienteering events, a variety of participants is expected at the Big Muddy Rogaine. You’ll see endurance athletes who will traverse 60-plus miles with only a few brief stops for fuel and water (provided by the organizers). And you’ll see couples who could care less about the competition, and just want to enjoy a day hike across the rolling hills of some beautiful, littleseen Central Oregon countryside.

People who are unfamiliar with rogaining and orienteering should try out one of the orienteering events earlier in the spring, and ask the organizers about rogaining.

For more information, contact event director Mal Harding at 5036388977, malvin@pacifier.com; publicity coordinator Jerry Rhodes at 3602538632; o_boy_red@hotmail.com; or visit www.croc.org.

San Juan Island
Marathon & Half Marathon
June 4, 2006

If you are looking for a marathon voted “the most beautiful in the state.” by Northwest Runner look no further. San Juan Island Marathon and Half Marathon is a great destination marathon for the entire family.

The San Juans are accessible to the public by water and air. The most common means of travel is by Washington State Ferry. On the east side is the town of Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor is a quaint seaport, which rises from the ferry landing and public marina where it is an easy stroll to the town’s docks, parks, restaurants, shops, galleries, and lodging facilities.

The marathon is one of the many activities happening the first weekend of June during the summer Kick-Off Weekend. For the art lovers there is the 15th San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour. A self-guided tour of 12 working studios with over 31 participants. The best orca (killer) whale watching is here off San Juan Island,there is sea kayaking, and great bird watching as well.

The Fourth Annual Health and Fitness EXPO features local health and sports-related businesses as well as regional organizations and vendors and is being held in conjunction with the marathon. There is a pancake breakfast for those supporters waiting for the walkers and runners to finish.

The race begins at 8:30 am to allow runners/walkers to come on the early ferry if they prefer.

The race director’s goal is to make the weekend a great experience for each participant and their support teams and families. They workwith local island volunteer groups to take part in this exciting weekend.

So, plan on coming and visiting for the weekend and enjoy a truly great course that promises some of the best views in the state.

Visit www.sanjuanislandmarathon.com for more information.

Adidas Helvetia Half Marathon & DropTop 10k
June 10, 2006

“Leave the city behind….13.1 miles of country roads” says it all. This great summer event began back in 2001 and gets better and bigger every year. This is a favorite with walkers. When you arrive at the Hillsboro Stadium the excitement is contagious with many first timers and those who return year after year. The course starts out flat but then come the hills. This event is famous for its hills. But what goes up remember must come down. You walk past beautiful farms, fields in bloom and even a few llamas. The locals sit in lawn chairs to cheer you on and even offer to cool you off with a lawn hose.

The organizer Paula Harkin of Run with Paula Events makes it a point to have the volunteers remain on the course until every walker has finished The course is supported all along the route with water, Clif Bars, Gleukos, and even Jamba juice. The party after the event is for the entire family and there is the famous Helvetia burger or Garden burger, beer or beverage of your choice. So you will want to sit in the grass listen to the music and enjoy the party.

Visit www.runwithpaula.com for more information.

Mt. Tabor Challenge
June 17, 2006

What do you get when you combine a beautiful and sunny June Saturday with BBQ, live music, and a challenging run and walk? You get the Mt. Tabor Challenge. Now in its fourth year, this great event for the entire family (four legged friends included), offers a great way to spend the morning before Father’s Day in one of Portland’s most spectacular parks. The views along the course offer up some of the best scenery around. Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, downtown Portland, and much more await you as you run along the beautiful and tree-lined roads within the park.

The race has a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere and the after-race party is one of a kind. Island Trio, a fun in the sun sort of band will provide music, Redhook will provide beer, and everyone will get a hot dog/hamburger or veggie burger, as well as other great BBQ fixins after the race.

The 5k is manageable for every level of walker/runner. The 8k is a bit more challenging with a long downhill.
You can find out more information on this event andall of Terrapin

Events races at www.terrapinevents.com. If you like the Mt. Tabor Challenge, be sure to check out the Mt. Tabor Summer Series the first four Wednesdays in August, a great way to train for the hills.

Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon/SEAFAIR
July 9, 2006

Close your eyes and imagine walking a beautiful and scenic half marathon course with sunshine on your back. SEAFAIR, a nonprofit organization in Seattle, knows the difference a little sun can make in a 13.1-mile walk.

The Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon and Half Marathon at SEAFAIR prepares for its fourth year with great momentum, wonderful participant support, and community involvement. Participants in 2006 can expect pleasant temperatures in the low 60s, Adidas performance fabric tech shirts, medals for full and half marathon participants, and a new walker-friendly course that is open for 5 hours.

SEAFAIR recruits more than 800 volunteers and community partners who donate countless hours to provide an unforgettable experience. Complete with costumes and music, themed aid stations add a unique experience while volunteers distribute water, energy drink, and Clif Shot gels. The entertainment, post-race massages, and vendors in Bellevue Downtown Park confirm that SEAFAIR knows how to pamper an athlete both during and after the race.

A portion of each registration benefits cancer research at Virginia Mason and participants may also dedicate their walk to family members and friends who are cancer survivors or battling the disease.

Visit www.seafairmarathon.com for more information or to register.

Team In Training Walking for Hope

During the month of May the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) will be recruiting walkers for the Portland Marathon and the Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon in San Francisco. TNT participants raise funds to support research, patient services, and education as they train together to walk a half or full marathon.

TNT participants come in all shapes, sizes and ages, and with different goals and levels of fitness. Team members receive five months of professional coaching; an individualized training schedule; weekly training walks; clinics on shoe selection, nutrition, and other topics; and a mentor to help them reach their fundraising and training goals. Even more important, they receive the satisfaction that their efforts make a difference.

Each team has an Honored Teammate, a blood cancer survivor who inspires team members throughout the training season. Some are children such as 10-year-old Katie who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 6. Katie became one of the first patients to receive Gleevec. The research that led to this wonder drug was funded by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The strength and courage of survivors provide team members with the motivation and determination required to train for an endurance walking event.

Team in Training will hold a series of information meetings in early May. Visit www.teamintraining.org/or or call 503-245-9866 or 800-466-6572 ext. 17 for the meeting schedule.